Gorgona Island, is a paradise in which a prison was imposed, already closed 37 years ago. Since then, thanks to its protection as a National Natural Park and the participation of local communities, scientists, students, divers and visitors, it has been recovering naturally. Currently the Park is recognized as one of the best preserved protected areas in Colombia and the world.

The construction of the prison began in 1959, and it was inaugurated in 1960. For 23 years, the only ones who could enjoy the spectacle of the humpback whales were the prisoners of the Gorgona Penitentiary, which, between 1960 and 1983, housed inmates of different parts of Colombia.

Before Gorgona Island became a prison, it used to be a natural paradise, with more than 25 freshwater springs, one of them sulfur, in an area of ​​11 kilometers by 5. When it became a prison, it barely had a few weak streams of water, which in the strong summers disappeared; the ruthless felling of forests that was done daily to supply the stoves that had been burning since dawn, opened one more hole every day in the green mantle that protects it. The abundant and varied fauna had almost completely disappeared.

Currently, after being protected as a National Natural Park, and thanks to the efforts of local communities, researchers, volunteers, and more, Gorgona Island is one of the most preserved places on the planet; It has the most developed and preserved coral reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific: they are like forests in the sea.

It´s a National Park recognized worldwide and included in the Green List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)* for being one of the best preserved protected areas, for its good management, for promoting scientific research and its Community service; In addition, it´s a site of national and regional importance for the reproduction of humpback whales, a place of residence for dolphins, and a feeding and reproduction area for sea turtles.

A whale and her baby resting on Gorgona island:

Gorgona Island is in danger again.

On December 31, 2017, while everyone was celebrating the arrival of the new year, the project for the construction of a coast guard station on Gorgona Island was approved.

The coast guard substation that they want to build threatens the life and biodiversity of the island.

It consists of 3 large buildings:

1: A 55 m tower and a drug interdiction radar.

This tower has already been built but the radar is not installed yet, and its construction has already destroyed 61% of the top of the forest. This hill called "Trinidad" with 330 m high, was declared a natural recovery zone, created in order to mitigate the impact generated by the construction of the prison, and had been protected until the licensing of this project was allowed.

The Gorgona National Natural Park is one of the few preserved sites in the Colombian Pacific Ocean, where turtles can find beaches to lay their eggs, coral reefs to rest, and shelter, food, and reproduction areas.

The first phase of construction of the radar tower has had an impact on the mortality rate of two of the species that come to nest:

Lepidochelys olivacea (tortuga golfina)

Chelonia mydas agassizii (tortuga negra)

On the other hand, the installation of the radar would affect the terrestrial and marine life of the island. The path that leads to "La Trinidad" hill, an area of ​​importance for the reproduction of frogs, is already deteriorated by the constant passage of people and fuel transportation to the tower, which consumes 792 gallons per month.

2: A 163 m maritime pier with more than 100 metal piles.

They want to build a 163m long dock, which involves driving more than a hundred piles into the sea floor for months. The sound generated by this activity can affect many species, possibly causing their death by stunning. In addition, when the dock comes into operation there will be constant traffic of military vessels and the supply of gasoline will end with spills that will affect all species in the long term and permanently.

On the other hand, this project says that it`s feasible to sail at full speed with two engines 400 m from the coast. The drug interdiction motors used are 350 horsepower. Whales, dolphins and turtles will be the most affected during the operation of the pier and the transit of military vessels for drug interdiction.

Currently, boat collisions are the leading cause of death for whales. In the Isla Gorgona National Natural Park, mothers and babies can be observed just 20 m from the beach and up to 1 km they are mainly concentrated. There they spend most of their time resting, raising and feeding their babies. Gorgona is a sanctuary for whales! That will be affected by the passage of military vessels.

3: An operating block

The Gorgona National Natural Park was created for purposes of conservation and appreciation of its nature, not to be a place for military purposes.

"Science Island" cannot be turned into a "Military Island"
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF GUAPI DEFENDING GORGONA ISLAND: "NO TO THE PIER IN GORGONA!

“We do not agree with the crash plans of the military projects, the conflict has only brought more conflict. Is this what we want for the Colombian Pacific? More war?” Unidos Por Gorgona.

Sign the petition if you want to help us: